Kreative
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The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
My computer was starting to fry up and actually shut down a few times due to a Microsoft NET Framework service that had somehow become corrupted and was-unknown to me at first- running in an infinite loop. Yes. And it was very troubling at first because I had no idea what was going on: the fan going out, dust build up in the fan or heat sync, or any number of other things. Anyway this has happened to a lot of people and I just wanted to post this in case it may happen to you. http://blog.tune-up.com/myth-buster/the-case-of-the-mysterious-presentation-font-cache-cpu-hog/ "Your PC worked perfectly fine the other day, but suddenly, it’s acting up. Performance went down, CPU activity increased, and your laptop’s or desktop’s fan is going wild—there’s clearly some resource hog affecting your system. The Presentation Font Cache is part of the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) feature, which allows programmers to develop graphically richer applications. It’s part of the .NET Framework (3.0, 3.5, 3.5 SP1 and 4.0), which, in turn, is part of Windows Vista (3.0) and Windows 7 (3.5). Some of your installed applications may require WPF and make use of the Presentation Font Cache. This service loads font glyph information into memory and helps share these fonts with all of the installed WPF applications. As such, applications that use the WPF framework start a bit quicker, and font pickers ( such as this one) might see a slight performance increase. Why is it burning my CPU? The Presentation Font Cache loads all fonts into its font cache (which is stored on your hard disk, but more on that later). However, at some point, this cache may become corrupted and unreadable due to a specific font. Then, the Presentation Font Cache will start to become unresponsive and get caught in a “I try to launch, but I’m stuck, so I will try it again” loop. That’s what causes the incredibly high CPU usage, and what may even result in a sudden shutdown due to overheating. Luckily, there are a few solutions to this problem!" http://blog.tune-up.com/myth-buster/the-case-of-the-mysterious-presentation-font-cache-cpu-hog/ Today my core temperatures are running from 58 to 65 C compared to days ago when-I was only using the Internet- they got up to the 80's and higher at one other time, finally shutting down at around 100C, the TJ max.
post edited by Kreative - 2012/08/05 02:05:13
Windows 7 64 bit, Sony Vaio Laptop Q740, 8 GB, Sonar Producer X1d, Focusrite Scarlett 18i, Korg Pa500, M-audio 61 Radium Keystation. Using Omnisphere, Trilian, Komplete 8, Morphestra, Orchestral Essentials, Evolve, Orange Tree Guitars, Addictive Drums, BFD2, Melodyne Editor, Studio One 2, Ozone 5, FabFilter.
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Danny Danzi
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/05 08:55:04
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Thanks for posting this, it's good to know. I'm no computer expert but I would think you still have some sort of cooling issue with the temps you've mentioned. I know some processors run a little hot anyway, but man....58-60 C just surfing the net? That has to be considered pretty high. At least it is for me. I have 6 pc's and a laptop that are always on in my studio. We have "stations" where we can send stuff too when other pc's are rendering. My main 4 work-horses look like this: Dell Inspiron, 4 gig RAM, i3: (I'm on this now) 29 C while typing this. With a decent audio project going, and IE open, 34-36 C. Video render, 58-65 C. I keep my room between 70 and 72 F Jim Roseberry recording pc, 12 gig RAM i7 Win7 x64: 41-43 C at idle, 45-49 C with a large Sonar project. 60-65 C with a video render. Danny D custom box, 16 gig RAM, i7 Win7 x64: 43-45 C at idle, 47-49 C with a large Sonar project, 60-65 C with a video render. Dell quad core laptop, 4 gig RAM Vista x32: 41 C idle, 42-47 surfing the net, 44-48 with a large Sonar project. As you can see, I can't even get close to those temps you've listed unless I'm doing a video render. I've not messed with turning off any font cache. Though I see cpu spikes once in a while and hear my fans kick up a little, at idle my cpu is always at 0% when I'm not doing anything. I'd definitely consider a different cooling solution or open up your system and check for dust or clogged heat sinks/fans or blocked vents. As I said, I'm no expert but I know a little something about these things. If I were you, I'd definitely be concerned with numbers like that from just surfing the net. I'm not even remotely close to the temps you are seeing other than video rendering. What would happen if YOU did a video render using Windows movie maker, Vegas, Camtasia or something to that effect? You'd probably over-heat or come darned close. Definitely look into this a bit further, Kreative. I may be over-reacting here, but I would look into some better cooling options because those numbers you listed are what I'm getting with my pc's all pushing super hard. I'd not want to see those numbers every day for long periods of time just from surfing the net, know what I mean? -Danny
post edited by Danny Danzi - 2012/08/05 08:56:10
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Kreative
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/05 10:44:43
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Yeah, I'm, at about 58-64C just surfing the net. But compared to what it was, this is acceptable, for now. My fan is working and I don't seem to have any other issues that I'm presently aware of. I have not been running temp checks since before this mentioned problem started and have no long term idea of where my temps have been overall. However, I have read that my current temperature is at an comparably acceptable level. Nevertheless, compared to some of the examples you've provided from other users, mine is running hotter than one might expect for simply doing the Internet. And for some unknown reason, the Internet is my problem, and I don't see the higher numbers when doing DAW work. Perhaps this is still related to the NET Framework service using excessive resources. Yet, it is no longer in an infinite loop persistently trying to start, but never fully able to run. I have to do more checking into dust and other factors, also, since I've never opened up my Vaio to get to the fan, having only shot some compressed air into the fan to alleviate a possible problem. Check out this article about i7 temps. Very enlightening. http://www.pugetsystems.com/blog/2 [...] peratures/ " Intel Core i7 CPUs have extremely good temperature tolerance. Not only are they made with a Hi-K silicon which is able to withstand higher temperatures, but they have very good power management. There are more transistors dedicated to power management on Core i7 CPUs than there were transistors in the original Pentium Pro CPU! What we’ve found is that the Intel Core i7 CPUs throttle down their speed starting at 100C. So, 100C is the maximum operating temperature of Intel Core i7. However, due to the great power management, we have never seen instability due to temperature. We can run full stress testing at 100C and have no errors. Of course, that’s not a good idea, but my point is that the excellent management features reduce the risk of high temperature. " And here http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core [...] QM%29.html At the bottom of the second link it tells you the max is 100c
post edited by Kreative - 2012/08/05 11:04:34
Windows 7 64 bit, Sony Vaio Laptop Q740, 8 GB, Sonar Producer X1d, Focusrite Scarlett 18i, Korg Pa500, M-audio 61 Radium Keystation. Using Omnisphere, Trilian, Komplete 8, Morphestra, Orchestral Essentials, Evolve, Orange Tree Guitars, Addictive Drums, BFD2, Melodyne Editor, Studio One 2, Ozone 5, FabFilter.
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ohgrant
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/05 11:02:28
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To be honest though it can take extreme heat without causing permanent damage I would still say 65C just browsing sure seems too hot to me. Not sure what the core slowdown threshold is on an I7, it use to be 70C on P4 cpu's. 100C and shutting down sounds to me that it is hitting the threshold when just doing minor tasks. I would remove the HS and fan and re-seat them with arctic silver thermal paste
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Jonbouy
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/05 11:04:08
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FWIW all my .Net Framework services are set to Manual rather than the default Automatic (Delayed Start), they are only loaded in this circumstance when required.
The WPF service is also set to manual here.
My i7 chip runs at around the 30-35 degrees C mark when browsing.
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
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Kreative
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/05 11:07:05
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It could be that, when on the Internet, my WPF is just using too many resources and should be set to manual, also. I'll have to look into changing that when I get some more time.
Windows 7 64 bit, Sony Vaio Laptop Q740, 8 GB, Sonar Producer X1d, Focusrite Scarlett 18i, Korg Pa500, M-audio 61 Radium Keystation. Using Omnisphere, Trilian, Komplete 8, Morphestra, Orchestral Essentials, Evolve, Orange Tree Guitars, Addictive Drums, BFD2, Melodyne Editor, Studio One 2, Ozone 5, FabFilter.
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Kreative
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/05 12:36:58
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I'm by no means an expert with computer problems, as I only learn the essentials of what I need to know only as I need to know it. I haven't time for much else.
It looks as though my WPF is always running, on or off the Internet, regardless, though it does not show up in the Task Manager processes tab, only under services. And it is now set to manual, though it appears to be running all of the time. This may or may not any longer be a problem for me, since it is no longer cycling in an infinite loop [in starting rather than running]. The service status says that it is started, but I do wonder if it should not say instead that it's running.
Windows 7 64 bit, Sony Vaio Laptop Q740, 8 GB, Sonar Producer X1d, Focusrite Scarlett 18i, Korg Pa500, M-audio 61 Radium Keystation. Using Omnisphere, Trilian, Komplete 8, Morphestra, Orchestral Essentials, Evolve, Orange Tree Guitars, Addictive Drums, BFD2, Melodyne Editor, Studio One 2, Ozone 5, FabFilter.
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Kreative
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/05 12:41:46
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ohgrant
I would remove the HS and fan and re-seat them with arctic silver thermal paste
Good advice to be sure this is not a problem. I'm not sure I want to take all of this apart myself, though.
Windows 7 64 bit, Sony Vaio Laptop Q740, 8 GB, Sonar Producer X1d, Focusrite Scarlett 18i, Korg Pa500, M-audio 61 Radium Keystation. Using Omnisphere, Trilian, Komplete 8, Morphestra, Orchestral Essentials, Evolve, Orange Tree Guitars, Addictive Drums, BFD2, Melodyne Editor, Studio One 2, Ozone 5, FabFilter.
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Kreative
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/05 12:43:30
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My i7 chip runs at around the 30-35 degrees C mark when browsing.
Mine is still up as high as 64C as I write. Still, its down some 20 degrees below when I was experiencing the WPF loop.
Windows 7 64 bit, Sony Vaio Laptop Q740, 8 GB, Sonar Producer X1d, Focusrite Scarlett 18i, Korg Pa500, M-audio 61 Radium Keystation. Using Omnisphere, Trilian, Komplete 8, Morphestra, Orchestral Essentials, Evolve, Orange Tree Guitars, Addictive Drums, BFD2, Melodyne Editor, Studio One 2, Ozone 5, FabFilter.
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ohgrant
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/05 19:49:25
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Kreative
ohgrant
I would remove the HS and fan and re-seat them with arctic silver thermal paste
Good advice to be sure this is not a problem. I'm not sure I want to take all of this apart myself, though.
I can understand that. I've done some reading and I still think your temps are a bit of cause for alarm. Not that any permanent damage is being done, but that close to the core slowdown threshold you can't be getting the maximum performance from your CPU. They start throttling down and only shutdown as a last resort.
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Jonbouy
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/05 20:20:38
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If the WPF service is set to manual try setting the service to Disabled then rebooting. Check your CPU temps after doing so. If they return to normal you can be pretty sure a corrupt font cache is to blame. CCleaner is a tool that can help with stuff like this as it will actually delete your font cache allowing it to be rebuilt as part of your weekly maintenance. http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER It's pretty safe to use and it's the only thing I'd recommend.
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
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Kreative
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/06 00:01:31
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I deleted part of WPF so that it would be rebuilt, actually. And it still runs as described temps. [presently between 60-67C as I write. Delete all the “FontCache…dat” files you find, such as “FontCache-System.dat” or “FontCache3.0.0.0.dat”.This will cause the WPF font cache to rebuild itself. However, if the problem persists, you might need to shut down the WPF font cache permanently.
The overheating continues, apparently, but 20 degrees cooler than before, when the cache was in an infinite loop. Can I actually DELETE the WPF permanently, though, without causing problems for some apps?
post edited by Kreative - 2012/08/06 00:04:04
Windows 7 64 bit, Sony Vaio Laptop Q740, 8 GB, Sonar Producer X1d, Focusrite Scarlett 18i, Korg Pa500, M-audio 61 Radium Keystation. Using Omnisphere, Trilian, Komplete 8, Morphestra, Orchestral Essentials, Evolve, Orange Tree Guitars, Addictive Drums, BFD2, Melodyne Editor, Studio One 2, Ozone 5, FabFilter.
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Kreative
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/06 00:10:34
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Solution #2: Shutting down the WPF font cache If all else fails, you have no choice but to disable the font cache. This may cause a slight slowdown when loading applications that heavily rely on fonts or offer a font picker (which loads hundreds or even thousands of your installed fonts). But, it’s a lot less painful then working under 50% CPU stress and hearing a fan working on overdrive. So how do you get rid of WPF font cache? It’s simple—go to “Control Panel”, and click on “System and Security”, “Administrative Tools” and “Services”. Scroll all of the way down until you see “Windows Presentation Foundation Font Cache”. Double-click on this entry, and select “Disabled” from the “Startup type” list.
You may encounter some slight delays in your WPF applications, but at least your PC will be running at full speed again.
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Is the above advice substantiated and advisable? I guess I could try it and do a system restore?
Windows 7 64 bit, Sony Vaio Laptop Q740, 8 GB, Sonar Producer X1d, Focusrite Scarlett 18i, Korg Pa500, M-audio 61 Radium Keystation. Using Omnisphere, Trilian, Komplete 8, Morphestra, Orchestral Essentials, Evolve, Orange Tree Guitars, Addictive Drums, BFD2, Melodyne Editor, Studio One 2, Ozone 5, FabFilter.
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Jonbouy
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/06 05:26:53
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I wouldn't sweat it just leave it disabled unless something that requires it is suffering as a result. It could be caused by a corrupt font so everytime the cache gets rebuilt it is causing trouble. Removing some fonts that you know are not needed can help here.
post edited by Jonbouy - 2012/08/06 05:29:21
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
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Kreative
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Re:The Case of the Mysterious Presentation Font Cache CPU Hog
2012/08/07 00:04:48
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Thanks Jonbuoy. I think you're right. It could be a corrupt font, and I have many fonts because I do all sorts of DTP and film editing. I won't sweat it- I'll just set it and forget it.
Windows 7 64 bit, Sony Vaio Laptop Q740, 8 GB, Sonar Producer X1d, Focusrite Scarlett 18i, Korg Pa500, M-audio 61 Radium Keystation. Using Omnisphere, Trilian, Komplete 8, Morphestra, Orchestral Essentials, Evolve, Orange Tree Guitars, Addictive Drums, BFD2, Melodyne Editor, Studio One 2, Ozone 5, FabFilter.
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